Real Madrid 1 Liverpool 0: Gareth Bale admits he was 'surprised' by Brendan Rodgers team selection

Rodgers made a total of seven changes to his Reds' side

Gareth Bale (right) speaks with Adam Lallana after the match (GETTY IMAGES)

Gareth Bale had admitted he was "surprised" to come up against a much-changed Liverpool side for Real Madrid's 1-0 Champions League win last night, but did compliment the Reds' display at the Bernabeu.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers made seven changes from the team who were defeated 1-0 by Newcastle on Sunday, with the selection drawing much criticism.

Real won the match thanks to a Karim Benzema strike in the 27th minute.

"I was surprised by how many changes [they made]," the Welshman Bale told ITV after the match. "But they worked hard, they gave a good account of themselves.

"It's always difficult coming to the Bernabeu, playing against us. We're always confident at our home ground, but they played well.

"Under Brendan Rodgers they're playing some great football, they're obviously going through a bit of a sticky patch but that happens to teams and I think they'll come out of it stronger and back to their best."